HIV ENCODES FOR ITS OWN CD4 T-CELL SUPERANTIGEN MITOGEN

Previously we reported that Nef protein from human immunodeficiency vi rus (HIV) induces proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Herein, we show that HIV replicates in cells activated b y Nef. PBMC proliferated in response to Nef and were capable of produc ing significant amounts of infectious virus upon infection. Polyclonal antibodies to Nef synthetic peptides blocked proliferation and neutra lized infection. Characteristic of superantigens, T-cell proliferation in response to Nef required antigen-presenting cells and showed CD4 V b preferences as previously shown. These findings suggest that Nef is a virally encoded T-cell superantigen and, as such, may be vital in th e establishment of HIV infection in a new host and in subsequent disea se pathogenesis. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.